Thursday 13th April 2017
Day 2 Fukuoka to Aso (177 kms)
As most of the competitors had to
collect their cars from the port, start time for commencement of the rally was
13.30, and we were due out at 14.04.
Just before lunch a priest from
the Fukuoka Hakozaki Shrine (which has an historical specialty in protecting
travellers) came and gave us a road safety blessing. There was much bowing and
he chanted until a high pitched crescendo and then back down again. He wore
very unusual shiny black clog-like shoes.
Through the start arch we wore
our Japanese head bands which caused a bit of excitement. The Japanese read the
writing (Phil had Enduring Winning & I had Number One!).
After a quick drive of
approximately 50kms down the Expressway, the starting point for the first
Regularity was at a viewpoint on a main road. The viewpoint was busy with
locals admiring the view and the cars. The speed was 50kph changing to 40kph
after 2.4kms. It was an old road with twists and turns with mirrors on corners
to warn/see any oncoming traffic.
Another quick drive down the
motorway for about 100 kms to the Honda Safety and Riding Plaza. The test was
four laps around the circuit and then half a circuit to the finish. The bogey
time was six minutes, we achieved 7.59 minutes.
Another six kms further on was
the final regularity – 45kph for about 4kms. Coming into the finish control,
Marco & Claudia’s Falcon had its front passenger side in the deep gutter.
Several drivers stopped to get it back on the road with the help of a thick
piece of timber from the roadside.
Stopping for fuel we had our
first sighting of Kumamon, the cute local bear mascot. He’s become the most
popular bear in Japan since his first appearance in 2010 for the opening of the
bullet train to Kumamoto.
On the way to the hotel we passed
some avenues of white star magnolias in bloom as well as a lot of tall
pollarded pine trees. The area around the hotel is an old volcano with a 40km
caldera rim. Our room overlooks a beautifully manicured golf course with the mountains
in the distance.
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